Cedar City Nurses Discuss Rising Trend In Magnesium Infusions

Two registered nurses from Intermountain Cedar City Hospital’s Infusion Clinic recently joined the Big Picture Morning Show on KSUB radio to share insights about their vital work and some emerging trends in patient care. Lisa Barr and Amy Manis, both RNs, discussed the broad range of treatments their clinic provides and the growing attention on magnesium infusion therapy.

“We do treat patients seven days a week,” said Barr during the broadcast. “Some of the treatments that we do, antibiotics is a big one, IV antibiotics, hydrations, rabies vaccinations. We place PICC lines, we do port care, lots of other medications that we give, some of the monoclonal antibody drugs for autoimmune disorders and hydrations and pretty much anything you can give in an IV besides chemo, we do give at the infusion center.”

The nurses explained that ports and PICC lines—devices used to deliver IV medications—require careful maintenance. “Talking about a port is a central line, which is a bigger IV that goes right above the heart,” Barr said. “We make sure they don’t get infections in their PICs or ports. We need to flush them on a regular basis and just make sure they’re running okay.”

Hospital Personnel Noticing An Increase In Magnesium Prescriptions

Manis noted a recent trend of increased magnesium infusions. “We have a team that has noticed a trend of an increase in magnesium infusion orders,” she said. “There’s a few things that contribute to having lower magnesium levels, like autoimmune disorders, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, type 2 diabetes… We’ve also had a few patients say that their doctors told them they’ve seen an increase in lower magnesium levels in their patients since COVID.”

Manis added that their team has launched “an evidence-based practice around the magnesium… to determine why these patients have low magnesium.”

Barr explained that the clinic typically uses magnesium sulfate for IV infusions, while dietary sources include “green leafy vegetables, peanut butter, dark chocolate with like over 80% cacao.” She also noted that alcohol, excessive protein diets, and fluoride can inhibit magnesium absorption.

As for treatment schedules, Manis said, “We found that it’s best to come in once a week. That was the most effective. Their body was able to sustain it the best.”

Read More: Cedar City Hospital And SUU Team Up To Promote Better Health

The Infusion Clinic continues to operate daily, supporting patients through a wide range of treatments with compassion and evidence-based care.

Get more insight to what the Infusion Clinic at Intermountain Cedar City Hospital provides by listening to the podcast of our interview below.